Search This Blog

rags to riches

On average, I would say that I make an online visit to Urban Outfitters about once a week. I'm always looking for super cool, hipster stuff to buy for our apartment. But truth be told, I always see awesome stuff, but lack the cash flow to shop like a hipster. Sure I've bought little trinkets and such (socks, hair accessories, etc.) but I've never found a deal in their apartment section worthy of spending MY deceased presidents. Then out of nowhere, while browsing the sale section, my impulse buy instinct kicked in ... in the form of a rug.

Not that I was actually looking for a funky little rug, I just figured it would be awesome to have a high-pile rug over the low-pile carpet in our next place. But I WAS a little hesitant. I knew that there was nothing I could really do with a 3x5 rug - at least not for our seating area. Then I thought to myself, "Self, what about putting two rugs together? It's a rag rug, so wouldn't the seam be virtually invisible?" After completing this conversation with myself (all in my head, I assure you) I took a leap of confidence and snagged two 3x5 rugs for our future living room. Dollars spent? The rugs were on sale for $14.99 ($13.49 each with a 10% off coupon code) + $10 standard shipping for a total of $39.20. Not that 5x6 rugs are super common, but you know me, I'll make it work.

When it arrived, I couldn't wait to check out my bounty.

Would you have ever known there was seam there if I didn't expose the secret?

Here's a wider shot. It's actually pretty big, and quite possibly the comfiest rug I've ever laid on. As a matter of fact, I'm sure Chris Cottrell wouldn't mind spending a night on it. Would you believe that I got the rugs delivered the very next day and I only paid for standard shipping? Yeah, the world is just full of amazement. Oh, and is that a coffee table in the background??? More on that later! :)

Here's a close-up of the rug. The colors are way more
vibrant than I could've ever pictured. I think it's going to serve as a
pretty nice inspiration for the color scheme of our new place. Wouldn't you agree? How about you? Have you recently made an impulse buy for your current or future place? I'd love to hear about it, and thanks for stopping by! :)

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hey Folks! On February 2, 2015 IKEA launched its brand new kitchen range called Sektion. Almost a year prior to the launch, I was chosen as the interior designer to represent our Atlanta store at the US Service Office. Along with Kim, our Sektion sales leader, and Erin, our Visual Merchandising planner, we created a beautiful department that kitchen dreams are made of. Here we are below sitting on the famous concrete Klippan sofa. These ladies were amazing to work with!

While there, I collaborated with Common Store Planning to create the layout of each kitchen in our store. When I came back home, I had about 5 weeks to and create all of the IKEA roomsetting documentation, as well as all of the official installation drawings and contract documents for city permitting. Fast forward a year later and there are 19 new kitchens in our store! Wanna see? Here are the ones in the kitchens and dining department.
Brokhult / Ringhult, Grevsta stainless steel

So I have been totally debating whether or not I need this table in my life. Sure it's "an interpretation" of one of the most recognized tables in history, but at $149 can you really justify not having some Saarinen worship in your home?

With that being said, I asked some advice from my dining expert Eddie at work, and he told me the structural integrity of a table that comes in parts is only sound as the person who spends the time to construct it. In other words, no wobble worries if you do it right! I think the Docksta would be a great starter table. Let's see how people make this simple little "nod to greatness" look adorable.

I love the idea of some fresh pillows in the dining chairs. You can change them out seasonally. A chic lighting fixture would give the table some sparkle too.

Ha! There goes that Stockholm Rand (which I am still loving by the way). The chair legs blend in so well with the rug, that you can't help but notice the table base.

In January I was approached with the incredible opportunity to design a space for Atlanta's most prestigious residential showcase for designers - The Atlanta Symphony's Decorators Show House and Gardens. This terrace level bonus room was presented to IKEA Atlanta, and my managers thought that it would be a great experience to further develop me as designer, project manager, and leader. And you know what, they could not have been more right! At 26, this experience has made my young career. To quote myself in a conversation with my manager Michael, this has been "the most challenging, frustrating, exhausting, amazing, and rewarding
project that I have ever been apart of! This was definitely an
opportunity of a lifetime."
Below are some before photos when we viewed the space for the very first time, as well as a few photos that are just a few finishing touches away from being complete. The planning took about Two-and-a-half months, the construction took about thre…

Blog authors

Hi, I'm Rae, and right now you're in the place where I share all things creative, cost-conscious, and color-confident in the world of interior design, decor, and diy! I'll be your chic designer friend if you let me.